How to disable the proximity sensor on Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC: safe ways

The proximity sensor in Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is responsible for automatically turning off the screen during a phone call when you hold the device to your ear. However, sometimes it malfunctions: the screen goes out for no reason, does not respond to gestures or, conversely, does not turn off when you call, which leads to accidental taps, in which cases users are looking for ways to temporarily or permanently deactivate this sensor.

In this article, we will discuss three proven methods of disabling the proximity sensor on the Poco X3 NFC, from standard MIUI settings to using the engineering menu and ADB commands. It is important to understand that deactivating the sensor can affect the usability of calls, so we will also consider alternative solutions (for example, calibration) and possible consequences. If you encounter problems in the sensor, read further - there are no universal tips here, but there are specific instructions with explanations.

Why turn off the proximity sensor on the Poco X3 NFC?

Before we get to the instructions, we'll look at where users decide to deactivate this sensor, and here are the most common reasons:

• 📞 False positives during calls: The screen goes off even if you don’t bring the phone to your ear, or doesn’t turn off when necessary, causing you to accidentally press the buttons with your cheek.
• 🔄 Conflict with covers or protective glasses: some accessories block the infrared signal of the sensor, which causes it to work incorrectly.
• 🎮 Using the phone in non-standard scenarios: for example, for streaming games with a connected gamepad, when the sensor interferes with control.
• 🔧 Testing or debugging: Developers and enthusiasts sometimes turn off sensors to check apps.

However, before disconnecting, it is worth trying alternative solutions:

• 🔄 Recalibrate the sensor (we will talk about this below).
• 🧹 Clean the sensor area of dust and dirt (located next to the front camera).
• 📱 Update the firmware - in new versions MIUI Often fix sensor bugs.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling the proximity sensor may cause random taps during calls (such as volume keys or calling closure).If you make frequent calls, consider software solutions (such as using headphones).

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in MIUI options. Unfortunately, in the latest firmware versions for the Poco X3 NFC, there is no direct proximity sensor switch, but it can be deactivated indirectly through call settings.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to the Calls section → Additional settings.
4. Find the Approach Sensor option (or Automatic Screen Disconnection in some versions of MIUI).
5. Turn off the slider next to this option.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

1. Open the Settings → Screen.
2. Select Advanced Screen Settings (or Screen Lock).
3. Look for options related to Auto Lock or Sensors.

Make sure the problem is not with the cover or protective glass.

Try restarting your phone.

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make a backup copy of the settings-->

If none of these things worked, your firmware version doesn't support shutting down the sensor through the menu, so move on to the following.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. custom or global versions) MIUI) The path to settings may be different. If you don't find the right item, don't change the other settings at random, which can cause your phone to crash.

Method 2: Use of the Engineering Menu (code ##)

The engineering menu is a hidden settings section that allows you to test and calibrate the hardware components of a smartphone, including sensors. For the Poco X3 NFC, access to it is opened through a special code.

Instructions for deactivating the sensor:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##6484## (this is the code for testing sensors on Xiaomi devices).
2. You'll be taken to the Manual Test menu. Find the Proximity Sensor section.
3. The screen will display the current state of the sensor (usually Far is far or Near is close). To turn it off, click on the Disable or Turn Off button (if any).
4. If there is no option to turn off, try calibrating the sensor: press Calibrate and follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to bring and remove your hand from the sensor several times).
5. After the changes, restart your phone.

If the code ##6484## doesn’t work, try alternative combinations for Xiaomi.

• #4636## (a common Android test menu)
• #36446337## (for some Redmi/Poco models)

Important: Changes to the engineering menu don't persist after resetting or updating the firmware. If you update MIUI, the sensor will become active again.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If the first two methods fail, the most reliable, but also the most difficult, method is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer and executing commands through the terminal, but allows you to disable the sensor at the system level.

What you'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.
• 🛠 Installed drivers ADB and the utility platform-tools (you can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers. Activate the USB Debugging Switch.
2. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, you can continue.
5. Disable the proximity sensor with the command: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 1 To turn the sensor back on, use: adb shell settings put global proximity_sensor_disabled 0
6. Reboot the phone.

adb shell su -c "echo 0 > /sys/class/sensors/proximity/enable"

But it requires root rights, which is not recommended on everyday devices.-->

This method saves the settings after the reboot, but can reset after the firmware update, and some custom firmware also blocks the change of system parameters through ADB.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not execute commands unless you are sure of their purpose, for example, accidentally changing other system parameters (for example, settings put global for non-existent keys) can cause errors in the system. MIUI.

Yeah, often.|Yeah, a couple of times.|No, but I want to learn.|No, I don't plan on.-->

What to do if the sensor does not turn off?

If none of these methods worked, maybe the problem goes deeper. Here are the possible causes and solutions.

If you suspect a hardware breakdown (such as a sensor that is physically damaged), try the following steps:

1. Check the sensor in the Sensor Test app (available on Google Play).
2. Make sure the problem isn’t with the cover or protective glass (remove them and test the sensor again).
3. If the sensor doesn't respond at all, maybe the plume has gone off or the module itself has failed, and then only repairs will help.

It’s also worth checking if the sensor is in conflict with the apps installed. For example, some battery-saving or screen-locking software may interfere with the sensor’s operation. Try running the phone in safe mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) and test the sensor without third-party apps.

Alternative solutions: if you do not want to turn off the sensor

Before you fully deactivate the proximity sensor, try alternative ways to solve the problem that do not require radical measures:

• 🔄 Sensor calibration: Open the engineering menu (code ##6484##.) Select Proximity Sensor. Press Calibrate and follow the instructions (usually hold and remove your hand 3-5 times).

Use of headphones

Resetting settings

Sensor management applications

Google Play

Sensor Disabler

Proximity Sensor Reset

If you make frequent calls and don’t want to risk random taps, you can set up a lock screen while calling through third-party apps, such as Call Recorder or Truecaller, which lets you manually lock the screen while you’re in a conversation.

💡

Turning off the proximity sensor is a last resort, and in most cases, the problem can be solved by calibrating, updating the firmware or changing the case.

Risks and consequences of disconnecting the proximity sensor

Before you deactivate the sensor, consider the possible negative consequences:

• 📵 Random taps during calls: Without a sensor, the screen won’t lock and you can accidentally tap the buttons with your cheek or ear (e.g., hang up the phone or turn on speakerphone).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: If the screen stays on while talking, it increases power consumption.
• 🔄 Application conflicts: Some programs (such as banking or instant messengers) may not work properly if the sensors are disabled.
• 🚨 Security issues: if you have used ADB or an engineering menu for changes, the service center may refuse warranty repairs (although the sensor shutdown itself is not a violation).

If you decide to turn off the sensor, we recommend:

• 📝 Make a backup of settings through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🔄 Periodically check the sensor (for example, after updates) MIUI).
• 📱 Use alternative ways to lock the screen during calls (e.g. power button).